Council’s smoking ban could be unenforceable

A council in England has proposed banning staff from smoking during working hours – including when they are on short breaks, according to a story in The Guardian.

Nottinghamshire county council, which employs 9,000 people, said the move would improve health, reduce sick leave and increase the time spent working.

Anyone who broke the rules would face disciplinary action.

The proposed rules would extend to all council buildings, land and vehicles, and would prohibit also the use of electronic cigarettes.

Unison, the largest public sector union, said the rules could prove to be unenforceable, while the smokers’ group Forest also criticised the plan.